Final Destination 5 (2011) Warner Bros.-New Line/Horror RT: 92 minutes Rated R (strong violent/gruesome accidents, some language) Director: Steven Quale Screenwriter: Eric Heisserer Music: Brian Tyler Cinematography: Brian Pearson Release date: August 12, 2011 (US) Cast: Nicholas D’Agosto, Emma Bell, Miles Fisher, Ellen Wroe, Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, P.J. Byrne, Arlen Escarpeta, Courtney B. Vance, David Koechner, Tony Todd, Brent Stait. Box Office: $42.5M (US)/$157.8M (World)
Rating: ** ½
The good news is that Final Destination 5 is no worse than its predecessors. In fact, it’s marginally better than the last one. I saw it in 3D and it actually added something to the experience of watching the latest series of freak accidents that claim the lives of the survivors of a catastrophe. In addition to seeing how each character is going to die, the blood and limbs practically land in your lap!
There’s no real plot of which to speak, just a premise to get the ball rolling. This time, a group of corporate types are heading off on a weekend retreat when one of them Sam (D’Agosto) has a “vision” of a major disaster. This time, a suspension bridge collapses and takes the lives of many people. When Sam returns to reality, he pulls his ex-girlfriend Molly (Bell) off the bus and six others follow. They include cocky Peter (Fisher, a dead ringer for Tom Cruise), his girlfriend and intern Candice (Wroe), smarmy tech support guy Isaac (Byrne), rocker girl Olivia (Wood), plant manager Nathan (Escarpeta) and the boss Dennis (Koechner).
After being questioned by federal agent Block (Vance, Law & Order: Criminal Intent), the survivors start dying off in very gruesome ways. That’s the whole point of the Final Destination franchise, figuring out inventive (and unbelievable) ways for the characters to kick the bucket.
There’s no point is discussing the performances in Final Destination 5. It’s essentially a group of guys and girls who look good on film. Some of them could have walked right off the cover of some magazine for all I know. The only known actors are Vance, Koechner (Anchorman) and, reprising his role from the first two entries, Tony Todd (Candyman). In the credits, it says that his character’s name is William Bludworth, but I don’t think he’s ever been addressed by that name in ANY of the FD movies. He’s just some creepy black guy who works for the coroner’s office (either that, or he’s a mortician) and says mysterious things like “Be careful.” and “Death shall never be shorted.”
If it makes any difference, there’s a subplot about Sam and Molly breaking up so he can accept a great job (chef’s apprentice) in Paris. Naturally, the deaths of their friends brings them back together. Big deal, who didn’t see that coming? One of the characters becomes insane as he feels Death drawing closer and Nathan has a problem with the paper plant’s union rep Roy (Stait). These things don’t matter; it’s simply material to fill time between the bloody scenes.
Okay, so we’re not talking about a brilliant piece of filmmaking here. Final Destination 5 is a horror movie sequel and just like the Saw franchise, the audience is there to witness a bloody spectacle (in 3D, no less!). I’m happy to say that Final Destination 5 doesn’t disappoint. There’s plenty of blood, gore and limbs flying around. I don’t want to ruin it for those who intend to see the movie, so I will describe things as vaguely as I can. If you see one of the characters about to get eye laser surgery, you know something is going to go horribly wrong. If you see a character go to an Asian massage parlor and get acupuncture, you know it’s going to turn out bad. I won’t even get started on a gymnast practicing on parallel bars.
I’ll hand it to the writer Eric Heisserer and director Steven Quale, these are some very creative deaths and that’s about the only thing that sustained my interest in Final Destination 5. Whatever else may be going on is superfluous. Like I said, it’s just filler. But if taken on its own terms (it’s a horror movie sequel!), Final Destination 5 isn’t too bad. I will say that there’s a nice little twist at the end, one that indicates that this could be last movie in this franchise. Of course, if this one makes money, I’m sure some writer will find a premise for Final Destination 6.
